Special Health Needs
Special health needs include physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, or long-standing (chronic) health conditions. Having a special health need makes the transition to adult health care slightly different. Having the proper resources to help guide you on this different path as you transition into adulthood is necessary to maintain the best health possible. We hope to provide you with some of these resources and tips to point you in the right direction if you have a special health need.
If you have more general questions about transition from pediatric to adult healthcare, visit our Transition to Adult Healthcare page here!
Special Health Needs Tips & Facts:
Planning is key!
Have a solid support system of family, friends, peers, etc.!
Stay informed about your special health need
Create a healthy environment
Have your family informed of your special health need, if you feel comfortable doing so
Ask questions and communicate with your doctors
You don’t have to go alone— you can have your parent or support person come with you to your appointments if you feel comfortable
Understand how your special health need may change in adulthood
Ask your pediatric doctor to share medical information with your new adult health care provider
Be empowered- take time to identify and nurture your strengths and talents. Your special health need does not control you!
Stay positive! Be your own unique self!
Department of Health Resource
The State of Hawaii Department of Health – Children with Special Health Needs Branch is an amazing resource for those of you with special health needs. Check out their website for more info here: https://health.hawaii.gov/cshcn/home/communitypage/
Click on the image to go to the CHATS Hawai’i Website! From there, you can sign up for a mailing list, check out their social media, and learn a little bit more about Caring for Hawai’i Teens with Speech challenges!
CHATS
Caring for Hawaii Teens with Speech challenges
CHATS, which stands for Caring for Hawaii Teens with Speech challenges, was started by Raphael Stark, a 15 year old Honolulu teen. In collaboration with Mental Health America of Hawai’i, he started a resource support group for teens who stutter and was the Outstanding Youth Mental Health Advocate this year! If you are interested, get more involved with CHATS here and learn more about him, his call to action, and this program here: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/video/2022/06/06/stutter-strength-teen-hopes-help-hawaii-youth-with-speech-challenges-2/!
Resources
Special Parent Information Network has an entire list of community resources to help parents of and those with— special health needs.! Click the image to check it out.
The Department of Health’s Spin Conference Webpage which has lots of amazing information such as a personal health record template, prepping for adult healthcare worksheet, and other community resources for those with special health needs.
Leadership in Disabilities & Achievement of Hawai’i has a goal to “to ensure all children with disabilities receive a proper public education.” They have programs for Information and Referral, Mentoring and Advocacy, School Readiness, and more!
This takes you to a comprehensive handbook about the transition to Post-Secondary Education from Hawai’i’s Department of Education. It has great information, especially for those with special health needs.
Click on the image above to head to the Center on Disability Studies, an organization of the University of Hawai’i, Manoa that “promotes diverse abilities across the lifespan through interdisciplinary training, research, and service.”
The Hilopa’a Project is a one-stop for information and referral, technical assistance and training for families with individuals with special health needs. They provide free, confidential assistance to families and self advocates and the professionals who serve them!
The Leadership in Disabilities & Achievement of Hawai’i has also compiled this great Resource List with contact information and a description of services for Special Health Need-related organizations across the islands.
